Ripple Effect: Hands-On with Hydrodynamics. New Water Table at ScienceWorks

Ripple Effect: Hands-On with Hydrodynamics — Now Open at ScienceWorks

ScienceWorks Staff pose with a hands-on water table exhibit;

We’re thrilled to announce that our newest exhibit, Ripple Effect: Hands-On with Hydrodynamics, is officially open! This immersive water table experience celebrates the restoration of the Klamath River ecosystem and highlights the many ways human choices shape our waterways. It’s a space where curiosity flows freely, where hands get busy, and where stewardship begins with play.

Earlier this month, the fabrication team, led by Tom Egan, made the long drive from Kansas and delivered the exhibit early on a Tuesday morning. ScienceWorks staff jumped right in to help unload, assemble, and learn the ins and outs of maintaining this exciting addition. Now, after months of dreaming, planning, and testing, Ripple Effect is ready for you to explore.

A Vision Rooted in Water and Restoration

Ripple Effect was designed with a clear mission: to offer an accessible, interactive learning environment that sparks wonder and inspires care for the landscapes and watersheds of the Pacific Northwest.

From the Klamath River’s ongoing restoration to the creeks and streams in our own neighborhoods, this exhibit helps guests see how water connects us all. By experimenting with flow, motion, gravity, and design, visitors encounter real-world science concepts tied to our region’s ecology — and to the choices we make as individuals and communities.

For our youngest visitors, Ripple Effect also emphasizes kinesthetic and proprioceptive learning, inviting hands-on exploration that builds foundational science understanding. And for older guests, it’s a chance to dive deeper into hydrodynamics, engineering, and the delicate balance of natural systems.

What You’ll Find in Ripple Effect

Ripple Effect is packed with interactive features that encourage experimentation, collaboration, and discovery. Some of the highlights include:

Movable Water Wheels

There are multiple water wheels throughout the exhibit, and it is up to visitors to figure out how to make them spin! It’s a simple, powerful way to understand how topography and human structures affect rivers, and a fun puzzle of cause-and-effect.

Water Turbines

Stable turbines with LED lights illuminate when water flows through them, introducing visitors to the principles of hydropower and energy transfer.

Adjustable Waterfalls

Create cascades, release water freely, or block the flow entirely. Explore how dams change the rhythm of a river and how these changes have a ripple effect further downstream.

Dams and Waterways

Move, remove, and rearrange structures throughout the table to see how landscapes shift and water responds.

Aqueducts and Cascades

Guide water to different parts of the system to mirror how aqueducts support agriculture and human needs, and how these diversions impact natural waterways.

Heated Water

A built-in water heater and filtration system keeps the table comfortable year-round and helps maintain a clean, enjoyable environment.

Accessibility for All Ages

At just 2.5 feet high, the table is designed for easy access for guests of all ages and abilities. Everyone can participate. Everyone can play.

A Community-Supported Exhibit

Ripple Effect would not be possible without the generosity of our partners.

We’re deeply grateful to:

The Carrico Foundation, whose $50,000 grant supported the design and construction of the exhibit
The Ford Family Foundation, whose funding helped make the water table a reality

Their investment ensures that ScienceWorks can continue offering engaging, accessible experiences that connect visitors to the natural systems all around us.

Come Make a Splash

Ripple Effect is officially open, and we can’t wait to welcome you into this vibrant new space. Bring your curiosity, roll up your sleeves, and explore how your actions create ripples across our world.

Stay curious!